Tales From a Broad (28 page)

Cooper pulled me close and I stiffened as we
came together. He planted a kiss on the top of my head, and I let
my body relax as I leaned against him.

The vehicles on the street slowed down next
to us when they stopped for the red light. The hum of the idling
cars seemed to match the pace of my brain waves. It was almost as
if my running thoughts had also ceased with the traffic. At least
for now, for the first time in months, my racing mind was finally
at a standstill.

Chapter
Fourteen

Woo is me!

Facebook Status June 13 at 10:00am

The next morning, I woke up way too early,
feeling excessively thirsty from dinner the night before. I reached
for the bottle of Pellegrino that sat on my nightstand and thought
about Cooper as I chugged the lukewarm water.

The last thing he had said when we parted
ways was that he promised to leave his BlackBerry back in the room
if we met up first thing in the morning. I wasn’t sure what amazed
me more, his pledge to leave work behind or that I really looked
forward to seeing him again so soon.

My mind flashed back to the quick peck he’d
given my cheek when we said good night in his hotel’s lobby after
our after-dinner walk. Despite the embrace we’d shared on the
street, the kiss wasn’t any different than the way he kissed his
grandmother, and I was also surprised that I didn’t want it any
other way. Was I scared? Taking it slow? Playing hard to get?

Whatever the reason, now that the initial
date was out of the way, I could honestly say I was thrilled he had
come to apologize. I was also especially glad we’d gone somewhere
authentic to Florence, even if he had spoiled the beginning with
his attitude. That restaurant had reminded me of the little French
place where I’d gone with Simon. The only difference was that Simon
was in his element, whereas Cooper was like a fancy fish out of
sparkling water.

I couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps that
was what threw him off his initial game. Cooper had always been a
wooer and I hadn’t really allowed him to woo me. I was sure the
buzzing sounds coming from his jacket pocket didn’t help either.
Maybe there was something to be said for a non-career man. Simon
had certainly never interrupted any of our time together to take a
call.

I fell back asleep mid-ponder and woke to the
buzzing sound of my own phone. When I saw it was a text message
from Tess, I sat up with a start. In the past twelve or so hours of
my own self-absorption, I had managed to forget all about her.
Thankfully, before I could even decide how to disappear for the
day, she beat me to it by saying she had gone to the convention
center with Landon. There was a fashion show scheduled to take
place in that same building, and she wanted to check it out.

Once again, I was relieved she’d done my
dirty work for me, but I promised myself I would come clean after
that day’s sightseeing date with Cooper. With Tess already gone, I
invited Cooper to pick me up at the penisone.

He texted me upon his arrival, and when I
came down the stairs, he had an arm resting on a bookcase and was
looking around the pensione with a critical eye. I saw a frown
cross his face, although his expression was carefully blank when he
turned and saw me. He straightened, glanced at his sleeve, and
brushed his hand along his arm.

“What? Are you afraid you’ll get bitten by
the pensione bugs?” I wiggled my fingers as I walked towards
him.

“Something like that.” Cooper grinned and
grabbed my hand, trying to joke about his obvious displeasure with
my choice of lodging. I decided to ignore his superiority complex
and squeezed his hand slightly.

“One would think you grew up with a silver
spoon in your mouth,” I teased. I could already tell we were both
feeling way more comfortable than we had felt at the start of the
previous night’s date.

“What do you mean?” The creases around his
eyes deepened as he smiled.

“Well, you’re eyeing the place as if you’re a
Rockefeller in the slums. This is a warm and wonderful pensione,
and I don’t want to hear one word out of you, mister.” I pulled my
hand away and wagged a finger at him. “You can check your
materialism at the door.”

“That sucks. If I have to check my
materialism at the door, then I guess that means I can’t give you
the gifts I brought,” he said with a frown.

“Gifts?” A smile teased the corners of my
mouth.

Cooper laughed and motioned to the couch
where a dozen shopping bags sat. From where I stood, I could make
out the logos from all my favorite designers.

“Ooh,” I said with anticipation.

“Go ahead. They’re all yours.”

I walked over to the couch and ripped open
the Jimmy Choo bag first. In it, the most exquisite pair of strappy
sandals stood tall. When I caressed the muted gold, the leather
felt like butter in my hand. I looked at the bottom of the shoe.
“Size nine. You remembered?”

“I may have had a little help from some
friends,” Cooper admitted.

“What friends? Tess?” My mouth went dry, and
I anxiously licked my lips. Had Cooper told Tess he was here? Had I
been busted?

“No, not Tess,” he assured me.

I sighed with relief, but for a moment I
wished Cooper had done my dirty work for me. Of course, it couldn’t
have been Tess. Cooper didn’t have her email or cell phone
number.

“The secret shopper was actually the
concierge at my hotel. When I cancelled our reservation last night,
I asked him to send out for a few things. He worked with Barneys in
New York to pull some sizes from their database. I know you like to
shop there at home.”

“Why did you do all this,” I asked in
disbelief.

“I figured you might be sick of your
backpacking attire. You’re not exactly the type to rough it,
Luce.”

I feigned a hurt expression. “I think I’ve
done just fine, thank you very much.”

“You have, but I know the girl I love is
hiding somewhere under those plain Jane clothes of yours.”

He pointed a finger at me, and I looked down
at the little black dress I’d decided it was finally time to wear.
It was more of a sexy Susie than a plain Jane. I was momentarily
taken aback. Did he not like the no-frills version of myself?

I opened my mouth to speak, but then quickly
closed it as he continued. “Besides, I wanted to take the time to
do something to make you feel special.”

While it was very kind of him to think of me,
placing an order with the concierge was hardly taking the time to
do something special for me. But he was just trying to treat me
like a lady. Be thankful and shut up. I didn’t want to sound like a
spoiled brat.

“Thank you for thinking of me, Cooper.” I
smiled and placed a hand on my chest. “Shall I open another?” I
couldn’t help but feel excited as I eyed the rest of the bags.

“Why don’t you go upstairs? Take your time
going through it all and pick something out for today.”

“Now? Don’t you want to go out?”

Cooper’s phone rang. He looked at me with a
conflicted expression.

“Ah ... I get it.” My jaw clenched as I
nodded. “I thought you said...”

“I know,” he said, cringing. “I did.
Honey...” He looked at his phone and groaned. “It’s a call from
Asia. After I left you last night, I dealt with such a mess back in
New York,” he said waving his phone. “I can’t be out of reach all
day. I just have to take this quickly.”

“Please?” He sandwiched his phone within
folded hands and gave me a pleading look. “Then I promise I’ll be
all yours. I just need thirty minutes ... tops.”

Twenty-seven minutes later, I stood naked in
my room. Cooper had bought me so many cute things that I actually
had too many choices. Finally, I settled on a pair of fitted white
pants, a strapless Pucci bandeau top, and of course, the Jimmy
Choos. Whatever issues I had about Cooper’s gesture had been hung
up in the closet with my new rags. I had to admit, it was nice to
be in dry-clean-only clothing again. And if I said so myself, damn
I looked good.

I blew myself a kiss in the mirror and left
the room to unveil the sophisticated version of myself to the
Florentine world. My legs felt a bit wobbly as I went down the
stairs. I clutched the banister for support, but the heels weren’t
really the issue.

Cooper sat on the couch thumbing through
pamphlets for local attractions, and I suddenly felt nervous to be
under his scrutiny. I was in dire need of moral support.

I cleared my throat and bit the inside of my
cheek. He looked up at me and let out a slow whistle.

“What do you think,” I asked, but the look on
his face said it all. I exhaled the breath I had been holding and
unclenched my fists.

“What I think,” Cooper said, walking towards
me, “is you may have to come back to my hotel later.”

My face flushed, and I opened my mouth, but
couldn’t come up with a snappy retort.

“Don’t worry,” Cooper said, “not for that.
Although ... don’t get me wrong,” he said, putting his arm around
me, “that would be nice too. It wasn’t easy being a perfect
gentleman last night. What I meant to say was that I don’t think
you fit in here anymore.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nice save.” I pressed my
lips together and smiled. I had to admit I was enjoying his
flattery. “If you think this is bad, which it’s not, then you
would’ve needed a tetanus shot just to step foot in our London
abode.”

Cooper shuddered and made a face. “Well, it’s
a good thing I’m here now. You know, to take your trip up a notch.
I did a little research,” he said, waving the pamphlets, “and
happen to have a chauffeur waiting outside to whisk us away.”
Cooper paused and a slow smile spread across his face as my mouth
opened wide with surprise.

I giggled and clasped my hands together.
“Really?”

“Of course.” He nonchalantly shrugged his
shoulders. “So, I’m thinking a day trip to Chianti. We can see the
vineyards. What do you think?”

“Hmmm....” I flashed back to the experience I
had in the French vineyard and laughed. “Well, my last experience
in a vineyard was in France where I volunteered for the day.
I...”

“Wait, what? Volunteered to do what?” The
look on his face reminded me that while he was big on donating
money, Cooper had never been one to donate his time.

“Pick grapes,” I shrugged. “Nothing too
tough.”

“Was it fun?”

“Yes, it was fun, you lazy ass.” I felt a
pang of nostalgia mixed with regret and immediately pushed it
away.

“I don’t know why I can’t seem to picture you
up on a high ladder.” Cooper looked at me and chuckled.

“Well, maybe you can picture this one then.
Me, falling off the high ladder,” I said.

“C’mon.” Cooper guffawed.

“Yep. I twisted my ankle so badly I could
barely walk.”

“So, what did you do?”

“I’d met a guy,” I said dismissively, “who
was very sweet. He happened to be staying at our hotel and actually
took pretty good care of me.” I smiled at the memory of Simon and
quickly shook my head to erase the barrage of thoughts that
accompanied it.

“Okay, I’m officially jealous,” Cooper
announced. “Am I allowed to say that?”

“Yes, you can say that.” I laughed. “And, I’m
officially happy to hear that.” I looked in his eyes and saw that
his expression had grown rather solemn.

“Luce...” he began, “I don’t think I will
ever be able to let a day go by without another apology.”

I held my hand up in protest. “Not now. This
is fun day.”

“Okay, okay.” He sighed.

“I mean, I can’t get all crazy emotional in
this beautiful get up.” I waved my hand over my body.

“Ooh, I think you can.” Cooper winked.

I bit my lip, but a shiver of excitement hit
as Cooper walked me to the Mercedes parked outside. I relaxed in
the backseat as I waited for him to finish his last phone call for
the day.

* * * *

The driver took us on a winding road through
the magnificent Tuscan landscape, and I felt as if we had driven
straight into a postcard. Rows of pencil thin cypresses alternated
with patches of vines and olive trees and stood like a proud
committee welcoming us to the Chianti region.

The windows were open, and I had to hold my
hair back as fresh gusts of air whipped through the car. We
cascaded though the rolling hills and fields and followed the road
towards a moss-covered castle.

When we drove through the wooden vineyard
gates, I sucked in the fragrant air. The sweet scent of the
grapevines and fresh dirt filled my lungs and energized my body. We
stepped out of the car and a middle-aged man who introduced himself
as Sal immediately greeted us.

Cooper and I followed Sal down a cobblestone
walkway as he told us a little bit about the vineyard’s history.
Apparently, the eleventh century castle was a former Florentine
fortress used today as a vineyard that churned out wine and olive
oil.

We walked underneath a stone archway that led
us into a stunning, trellised garden. I was so taken by the
creeping vines and delicate flowers overhead that even though Sal
had a fairly good grasp on the English language, I had a hard time
concentrating on his words. I sniffed the herb and lavender air and
half-listened to him as a chorus of birds tweeted around us.

The other side of the trellis opened to a
vast field, and my mouth fell open when I saw dab smack in the
center of its edge, there was a table set for two. It was covered
with a white linen tablecloth and adorned with candles and fresh
flowers.

I turned to Cooper. He had his hands in his
pockets and pointed his chin in the air.

I closed my mouth and gave him a questioning
look. “Is this ... for us?”

“Perhaps,” he said with a slight shrug. He
may have been trying to act modest, but the smile on his face was
anything but.